MATH 232 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

Section 005, Spring 2008

We will cover material essentially equivalent to chapters 6-10 of Stewart, which include applications of integration, parametric curves and infinite series. We will concentrate on really understanding calculus concepts, and not just on doing enormous numbers of problems. Problems are important, of course, but not for their own sake: they are important because doing problems is one way to build up your intuition and understanding of the basic concepts.

In this section, you are lucky enough to have another tool for building up intuition: the computer program Maple. Maple is a computer algebra system: a program that does mathematics symbolically, just as humans do. Like any computer program, it can be frustrating at times, but once you are comfortable with it you will be amazed at its power. Ideally, you will have had some experience with Maple before this course. If you haven't, don't panic; we will take some class time at the beginning of the semester to review (or learn) the program. You will be expected to be reasonably comfortable with computers, or at least willing to learn.

If there is a drawback to using computers in mathematics, it is that you can get into the habit of relying on them for even the simplest computations. To avoid that trap, you will be required to pass 5 gateway tests: one for each of the chapters that we will be covering. In order to get a grade of C (or better) in the course, you will have to score at least 80% on each of the 5 gateway tests. NOTE: It does not follow that if you score at least 80% on each gateway you will get a C for the course.

Assuming you pass the gateway tests, your grade will be based on the following factors:

• Homework You will be assigned homework at regular intervals. (If for some reason you absolutely have to miss a class, the homework will be posted on the class website.) Homework may consist of problems from Stewart, a Maple worksheet, or Maple programming. For some of it, you will be expected to work in groups of 2 (3 if necessary). 30%
• Quizzes There will be 2 in-class quizzes during the semester. In contrast to the gateway tests, these quizzes will concentrate on more sophisticated problems: applications, or problems which rely on you being able to combine ideas from more than one section of the text. 15% each
• Final Exam The final exam will be comprehensive, and will take place from 10:00-12:00 on Thursday, May 15. 30%
• Class participation 10%.

NOTE: This syllabus, and other relevant class information, are available on the class website, http://www.uwm.edu/~kevinm/teaching/232/frames.htm. You are responsible for any information posted on the website, so you should get into the habit of checking it frequently.

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